=== Importing Objects from External Files ===
Building complex simulations geometries often requires one to the import CAD objects from of external filesCAD models. Currently, [[EM.Cube]] can read in import the following CAD file formats:
* STEP File (*.STEP or *.STP)
* Python File (*.PY)
To import an external file of one of the above formats, select the menu item '''File → Import...''' Once the standard Windows "Open Dialog " pops up, select the desired file extension from the dropdown drop-down list labeled "Files of typeType:". Then, select the desired file and click the '''{{key|Open''' }} button of the dialog. This opens another dialog that shows the progress of loading the imported file. You can abort the import process by clicking the '''{{key|Abort Translation''' }} button. You can also view a report of the process. All imported objects are listed under Color_1. From this group you can move them to other groups. In some cases, the imported object might already be organized in different colors or groups. In all file formats except for STLand Facet, solid objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s generic solids and surface objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s generic surfaces. From STL and Facet files, objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s native polymesh objects.
{{Note|You can import external CAD files only into CubeCAD. From here , from which you can then move the imported objects to [[EM.Cube]]'s other modules.}}
<table>
=== Exporting Project Structure ===
You can save the structure that you build in [[EM.Cube]] to an external CAD file for later use or transfer to other applications. Currently, [[EM.Cube]] can write out export the physical structure to the following file formats:
* STEP File (*.STEP or *.STP)
* Python File (*.PY)
To export the project structure to an external file of one of the above formats, select the menu item '''File → Export...''' Once the standard Windows "Save As Dialog " pops up, select the desired file extension from the dropdown drop-down list labeled "Save as type:". Then, type in a name for the file and click the '''Save''' button of the dialog. This opens another dialog that shows the progress of writing the exported file. You can abort the export process at any time by clicking the '''Abort Process''' button.
Note that in the case of DXF export, all the surface CAD objects lying in the XY Plane or in any horizontal plane and only rectangular objects lying in the YZ or ZX planes or in any vertical plane parallel to these planes are exported. Curve and solid CAD objects are ignored during the export process.